There should be a continuous handrail along stair flights and landings. a 1100mm balustrade may suit a residential balcony, but does it suit an atrium balustrade in a school?). Balustrade Advice & Loadings - Information on Balustrade Load Tables for different building types, Balustrade Post Options with load tables & Balustrade Post Centres. The most common material tends to be metallic such as stainless steel or aluminium. 3), 12. In buildings where children under 5 may be present, then the guarding must not be easily climbable (e.g. If access is required less than this, then it may be suitable to use temporary guarding and warning signs. © 2010-2020 Health and Safety News (www.healthsafetynews.co.uk)      Privacy Policy, Occupational health and safety news and guidance, When installing balustrades in either a commercial, public or domestic building, there are a few regulations that must be recognised for the health and safety of the people in the building. Refer to the below table for more details. All rights reserved. 4). In most cases, a glass balustrade would be used to protect against a change in floor level or drop. balconies, school voids and stairs). In maintenance areas, if frequent access is required (e.g. | 0114 269 4285 | info@ami-sheffield.co.uk ; Home; About Us; Products. These are general rules and you’ll need to consult a qualified professional before any construction commences: there are other requirements, such as handrail shape, distances between panels, distances from walls etc.. This is the part that you hold as you climb up and down the stairs. Equalling approximately 75kgs of pressure per metre of handrail, that’s the simple answer of … The legal requirement for the height of a balustrade varies depending on whether it is installed in a commercial or domestic building and whether the installation is internal or external. Alternatively, if you intend to install a glass balustrade on the exterior of your building, the minimum height to the handrail must be 1.1m high. The latest Building Regulations, which arrived in December 2018, ban the use of combustible materials in balconies. The current BCA requirements are that a balcony balustrade have the following attributes: – The top of the railing must be least 1 metre (1000mm) from the ground. For the glass to be regarded as safe it must pass an impact test. 2. Glass is rigid and strong, able to resist pressure and force 2. If you need a glass juliet balcony or glass balustrade components, please speak to us first! This guide is a summary of some key points for consideration when specifying balustrades and handrails. Guidance for avoiding collision and impact is detailed in the positioning of doors and windows within a property, ensuring that no injuries occur due to occupants colliding with open windows, skylights, ducts etc., that large panes of glass are … For internal railings or balustrades that are inside a single family dwelling the height required is 0.9m from "datum" (“datum” is defined as the height or point you can stand on) to the top of the handrail. This means that the broken shards must not be sharp or pointed. © Brass Age Ltd 2020. Glass Balustrades are a feature of staircases, Juliet balconies, balconies mezzanines floors and can be found inside and outside of both domestic and commercial buildings.The reasons why glass is becoming increasingly popular as a balustrade material is because; 1. A breakage could be considered safe if the glass meets the following descriptions: a. Balustrade Glass Panels. Handrails should be finished in a way that reduces risk of clothes being caught. (See Fig. Handrails should project 300mm from the end of the stair. Flights and landings should be guarded at the sides in dwellings when there is a drop of more than 600mm. Wood is another commonly used material for balustrades, however maintenance is a factor to take into account when choosing wooden balustrades. b. Disintegration into mall detached particles. For further research, refer to the Approved Document K on the Gov.uk website – Link here. This ‘safe break’ pattern is achieved with toughened glass. Framed Glass Balustrades are tested to fully comply with UK Building regulations BS6180: 2011 - Test certs available on request. By continuing to browse this site, you give consent for cookies to be used. Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than 1m wide. Breaks with a small clear opening and detached particles no larger than the specified maximum size. In all buildings, handrail height should be between 900mm and 1000mm measured to the top of the handrail from the pitch line or floor. Architectural Metalwork Installations provide a wide range of products from classic Balustrades, … The handrail is the part of the balustrade that sits on top of the spindles. The weight or load that the balustrades must withstand is measured in kN/m (kiloNewton metre). 4. Based in Birmingham, we can supply across the UK. When installing balustrades in either a commercial, public or domestic building, there are a few regulations that must be recognised for the health and safety of the people in the building. Tubular Mounting Balustrade Wire System. Are there certain materials that are not permitted? Laminated glass is inherently strong and is made of at least two glass panels and an interlayer (which is usually resin based or made of plastic). If used purely for decorative purposes at ground level, building regulations do not apply. Approved Document K | Understanding Balustrade Regulations, Part 1. Call us today on 0121 285 9020. 2. A stair in a public building which is wider than 2000mm should be divided into flights which are not wider than 2000mm. For external balcony or terrace areas the required height is 1.1m from datum to the top of handrail. Regulations do require that the materials used for the balustrades must be sturdy and rigid – able to withstand pressure without the material bending or buckling. The required height of the balustrade is measured from the point at which you stand (also referred to as the, How to ensure your balustrade installation is up to code according to UK regulations, UK Government’s Protection from falling, collision and impact. Tested to both 0.74kn/m UDL (1250mm post centres) and 1.5 kn/m UDL (900mm post centres) We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. This is because the laminate interlayer will maintain the glass barrier and the broken glass particles will be held in place until the panel can be replaced. Balustrade Express Wire balustrades Systems are designed to meet UK building regulations, some of which state that balustrades and other secure fixtures should be … A single toughened glass (normally a minimum of 10mm) can be used only if there is to be a handrail above, that is fitted independently from the glass (not on the glass). This article provides advice on designing balcony balustrades, including building regulations, performance and installation. It is based on our own interpretation of the requirements and it remains the responsibility of clients to satisfy and comply with local legislation. However, larger heights should be considered in relation to the environment (e.g. Timber decks for residential installation are not as such referenced in current UK Building Regulations. Balustrade glass regulations UK state that a balustrade guarding shouldn't allow children from climbing it The centerline of all handrails should be between 900mm and 975mm above the stair For balustrades guarding landing areas and balconies, the barrier should be … There are two differing applications that must be distinguished between when determining the correct height to install a glass balcony or balustrade railing system; those installed internally on a staircase landing for example and those used externally, such as a juliet balcony. In a dwelling, this is 900mm, and external balconies must have a height of 1100mm from the datum to the top of the handrail. Interpreting the requirements of the balustrade building regulations can be complex. offering glass loadings for balustrade. (See Fig. It gets its name from the ‘rake’ which is another term for the pitch of the stairs, or effectively the steepness of the flight of stairs; Return Balustrade – this is the balustrade that guards a landing; Building Regulations for Handrails 2. SECTION 5: Protection against impact with glazing. Handrails should also be a minimum of 1000mm apart. Laminated glass can be constructed of either two float panels, two toughened panels or a combination of both. Balustrades should generally be a minimum of 1100mm from finished floor level. The handrail must be between 900mm to 1000mm above the ramp surface. a minimum of once per month), then balustrades heights should be adhered to as per the following table. If you are planning to install the balustrades on balconies or external spaces, the required height should also be 1.1 metres from the datum. 9. This edition covers protection from falling, collision and impact and includes designing staircases, ladders, ramps, guarding and vehicle barriers in and around all types of buildings. Low maintenance: unlike glass balustrade, the marine grade 316 stainless steel wires do not need to be cleaned regularly; Limited glare compared to many glass deck balustrade systems, with minimal reflection from evening sunlight which would otherwise obscure your view; Regulations If the ramp is less than 600mm in height then you don’t need a handrail. The quenching procedure only takes about one minute, however it creates a strong outer layer on the glass as well as locking tension inside the core of the glass. Because of the hard-wearing steel frame, the glazing on our framed glass balustrade systems can be as thin as 10mm, whether the balustrade is a low level installation or … Building Regulations for Glass Balustrades. 1. Understanding the building regulations and interpreting their requirements for balustrades can be a complex and time-consuming task. The legal requirement for the height of a balustrade varies depending on whether it is installed in a commercial or domestic building and whether the installation is internal or external. Framed glass balustrade height regulations. We have taken information from the UK Government’s Protection from falling, collision and impact document to help you ensure that your balustrades are up to code. Stainless steel wire balustrade vs glass balustrade. Balustrades should meet the loads specified in BS EN 1991-1-1 (this will be outlined in a later blog post). 5. For more details, please read our privacy policy. Handrails should not project into an access route. 2). However as the regulations state that stairs and balustrades should be designed and installed for the safe movement in or about buildings it can be assumed that they do apply especially with regards to balustrades. Rake Balustrade – This is the balustrade that is used on the stairs. Balustrade.Glass are a leading supplier of frameless glass balustrade components. The Building Regulations and supporting Approved Documents, identify the relevant building standards and minimum requirements that should be applied to the use and design of structural glass and balustrades as well as any building control checks. 4), 13. 2. 6. If the ramp is more than 1000mm wide, then there must be a handrail on both sides. There are three loads that are required to be measured: horizontal loading on the handrail, vertical loading on the handrail and loading on the infill. Juliet balcony and balustrade regulations – The basics. This second handrail should be positioned at 600mm from the pitch line or floor. (See Fig. This height must be maintained all the way around the top of the handrail.Externally, this height changes. 4. The glass must also disintegrates into small detached particles. 14. Guarding (or balustrades) must be provided in areas where people have access (e.g. Tube mount wire balustrade railing is designed to fit 42.4mm diameter balustrade posts, perfect for use with the Modular Balustrade System. 2). We have taken information from the, The legal requirement for the height of a balustrade varies depending on whether it is installed in a commercial or domestic building and whether the installation is internal or external. Andy Rutter is the owner of Steel and Glass Balustrades, the UK’s leading supplier and fitter of domestic and commercial balustrades. They should have a handrail on both sides of they are wider. 3. Protection from falling involves the fitting of safety measures on staircases, ramps and ladders, as well as advice about the positioning of balusters, vehicle barriers and windows to avoid injury. The infill must be tested in both a distributed load and a point load. 10. Low iron and tinted glass is also available This guide focuses specifically on the building regulations Document K. However, it is the first of a series of blogs that will be published that aim to summarise and explain the key regulations that should be considered when specifying and designing a balustrade solution. c. Broken glazing in separate pieces that is not sharp. A glass balustrade is the use of frameless glass as a protective barrier. 7. UK Building Regulations state that stairs and balustrades should be designed and installed for the safe movement in or about buildings, and while timber decks for residential installation are not explicitly referenced, it can be assumed that they do apply, especially with regard to balustrades. A stone balustrade is subject to building regulations if used as a guardrail which guards a drop of 600mm or greater. Regulations state that the minimum height requirement for all glass balustrades should be 0.9m from the point that it is stood on, up to the height of the handrail. Both performance and aesthetics are important considerations in stair balustrade design. vehicle ramps or loading bays). Domestic balustrades and handrails must be able to withstand 0.36kN/m and external balconies must be able to take 0.74kN/m. Whether it is for a new glass balustrade system or replacement glass, our glass panels are the perfect choice. Below are the basic requirements (heights and glass thicknesses) for glass barriers for the UK. Approved Document K and the British Standards, particularly BS6180, contains a vast amount of information surrounding the requirements of a balustrade or handrail in different environments. So the vertical components must not be more than 125mm apart. There are two types of safety glass that should be used: toughened glass (also known as tempered glass) or laminated glass. It does not bend, buckle or break when a reasonable amount of pressure is applied 3. According to UK building regulations, the minimum acceptable handrail height in a domestic dwelling is 900mm on both stairs and landings. If building work complies with Building Regulations requirement K1, it prevents, in accordance with Section 23(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Products. If glass is used in a balustrades, it must break safely. A durable and economical choice, our framed glass balustrade systems are a sturdy and low-maintenance choice that delivers visual impact while keeping well within budget. For more detailed advice on these regulations or any other current standards, please contact as on +44 (0)1603 722330 or specifications@basystems.co.uk. Handrails should be between 32mm to 50mm in diameter. For examples of how these regulations have been applied in practice, browse our project portfolio on this link here. Frameless glass balustrades are one of the popular structural glazings used as a barrier. What height should the balustrade guardings be fixed at? There should be a visual contrast between the handrail and background. The balustrade from should be 1.1m from datum to the top.What is ‘datum’?Datum is the tec… Guarding is not required to areas where people do not have access or where guarding would obstruct “normal use” (e.g. 3. (See Fig. A handrail of a balustrade, in areas which are not susceptible to overcrowding for residential and domestic houses, will require to stand 0.74 kilo Newtons (kN) for every metre length. 42mm diameter handrail is the recommended dimension. All our made to measure panels are manufactured in house on short lead times and accredited with CEN Solutions CMS Mark. This summary of regulations and specifications is given as a guide to specifiers and contractors and is by no means intended to be exhaustive. Approved Document K: Protection from falling, collision and impact. For stairs, landings, ramps and edges of internal floors, the minimum height is 900mm. Any opening must not allow a 125mm sphere (ie childs head) to pass through. This means that the infill must be able to endure an evenly distributed weight as well as concentrated pressure on one small point. 4. 1. According to BS6180 and Building Regulations Document K, balustrade height regulations are dependent on their location within the property: Where there are barriers in front of a window, the minimum height from the finished floor level is 800mm. The required height of the balustrade is measured from the point at which you stand (also referred to … This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Guarding is required in all other buildings when there are two or more risers on a stair. 1), 3. They should also be 50mm to 75mm away from the wall or surface to which they are fixed. Toughened glass is heated to around 700ºC before it is rapidly cooled, or quenched. Second handrails should be provided in primary schools. Both stainless steel and timber handrails meet this requirement. The required height of the balustrade is measured from the point at which you stand (also referred to as the datum) to the top of the handrail. Handrails should not be hot or cold to touch. Ramps that are less than 1000mm wide must have a handrail on at least one side. BA Systems is a registered trademark of Brass Age Ltd. Understanding the building regulations and interpreting their requirements for balustrades can be a complex and time-consuming task. With regards to materials used for the balustrades, there are no particular types that are prohibited according to UK regulations. Quality toughened float and laminated glass balustrade panels at unbeatable prices. Public areas such as bars and restaurants have to take 1.5kN/m while larger public buildings with larger traffic such as shopping centres and nightclubs must be able to withstand 3.0kN/m. horizontal bars are not recommended) and a 100mm sphere must not be able to pass through any openings in the barrier. Stair balustrade design – advice and technical guidance. Glass balustrades are clear and transparent while providing minimal disruption however there are various elements that need to be considered before specifying a balustrade. Balustrade building regulations have minimum height requirements from the datum, which is defined as the point on which a handrail is stood. When installing a balustrade inside public or commercial buildings and domestic properties the staircase’s handrail must meet the height of 0.9 metres while the minimum acceptable height for landing balustrades is 1.1 metres. A stainless handrail is a good means of achieving this contrast. 1. The reason for this is fairly self-explanatory – it is principally to help protect everyone – adventurous adults, children and animals – from a… Choose from either our bespoke 'Tubular Mount - Made to Measure' balustrade wire system or our DIY - Tubular Mount balustrade wire kits. Balustrades in private residential buildings (dwellings) require a balustrade when the … This can be achieved with a post and handrail balustrade to provide an intermediate handrail. There is a difference in minimum heights of balustrades for those that in inside and those that are outside.Internally, the height of the balustrade from the point that someone is stood on to the top of the balustrade should be a minimum of 0.9m. How much weight must the balustrade and handrail withstand? (See Fig. Our summary gives a brief outline of some key points to be aware of relating to balustrade and handrails. Relevant Building Regulations. (See Fig. Approved Document K includes advice on protection from falling, collision and impact. 8. For flights of stairs (other than dwellinghouses) a minimum width between walls or stringers should be 1200mm. Laminated glass, whilst not specifically stated described in this Document, will more completely fulfill this requirement for glass to break safely. 1. A stairwell or stairway is a space where furniture is largely or totally absent, so balustrade is usually the focal point which allows design expression and defines the overall look. If  you require further technical specifications, drawings, CAD files or images please request access to our technical library in the below form. 11. 2. Materials used for the UK ’ s leading supplier and fitter of domestic and balustrades... Toughened float and laminated glass can be achieved with a post and handrail to... This is the owner of steel and glass balustrades, it must pass an impact test to which they less... Panels are manufactured in house on short lead times and accredited with CEN CMS... ) for glass to break safely don ’ t need a handrail on both sides of they wider! Both sides of 1100mm from finished floor level float panels, two toughened panels or a combination of.... Be guarded at the sides in dwellings when there are various elements that need to be considered safe if glass. 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How much weight must the balustrade guardings be fixed at toughened float and laminated glass access ( e.g some. In maintenance areas, if frequent access is required in all other buildings when there balustrade regulations uk a summary regulations... C. broken glazing in separate pieces that is not required to areas where people have access e.g! Is required in all balustrade regulations uk buildings when there is a factor to into. @ ami-sheffield.co.uk ; Home ; About us ; Products types that are prohibited according to UK...., performance and aesthetics are important considerations in stair balustrade design glass balustrade components, speak... Some key points to be considered in relation to the top of the requirements of spindles. Account when choosing wooden balustrades wider than 2000mm should be left unchanged performance installation... Bs EN 1991-1-1 ( this will be outlined in a way that reduces of. 600Mm from the wall or surface to which they are fixed can supply across the UK their requirements for can! Of stairs ( other than dwellinghouses ) a minimum of once per balustrade regulations uk. Our summary gives a brief outline of some key points to be aware of relating to balustrade handrails! Wire balustrade railing is designed to fit 42.4mm diameter balustrade posts, for... There are no particular types that are prohibited according to UK building regulations not. Is 1.1m from datum to the environment ( e.g t need a glass components! In Birmingham, we can supply across the UK edges of internal floors the. To resist pressure and force 2 for use with the Modular balustrade system available frameless glass a! Part 1 this article provides advice on designing balcony balustrades, the UK breakage be... Specifiers and contractors and is by no means intended to be exhaustive 2000mm should be guarded at sides... ( or balustrades ) must be able to endure an evenly distributed weight as well concentrated... Decks for residential installation are not recommended ) and a 100mm sphere must not be easily climbable ( e.g infill. Distributed weight as well as concentrated pressure on one small point the handrail.Externally, this height must be to! Fitter of domestic and commercial balustrades that reduces risk of clothes being caught used purely decorative... Also disintegrates into small detached particles no larger than the specified maximum.... For use with the Modular balustrade system have been applied in practice, browse our portfolio! At least one side if they are fixed or terrace areas the required height is from... For further research, refer to the top of handrail ) must be a minimum of once per month,. Much weight must the balustrade that sits on top of handrail when is... Ba Systems is a good means of achieving this contrast regulations and interpreting their requirements for can! Juliet balcony or glass balustrade panels at unbeatable prices ) and a 100mm sphere must not be able endure!, however maintenance is a summary of regulations and interpreting their requirements balustrades. The datum, which is defined as the point on which a handrail at!, please speak to us first purposes and should be guarded at the sides in dwellings when there no. It suit an atrium balustrade in a school? ) minimum of once month! A breakage could be considered before specifying a balustrade on designing balcony,. 4285 | info @ ami-sheffield.co.uk ; Home ; About us ; Products an balustrade. Laminated glass balustrade would be used to protect against a change in floor level or drop a handrail! Pressure on one small point given as a protective barrier @ ami-sheffield.co.uk ; Home ; About us Products! The minimum height requirements from the end of the balustrade that sits on top of the stair 42.4mm balustrade... Also be a minimum of 1000mm apart: toughened glass is heated to 700ºC... The handrail must be a minimum of once per month ), then balustrades heights be. Buildings when there are various elements that need to be exhaustive our DIY - Tubular Mount balustrade wire kits along. Atrium balustrade in a balustrades, including building regulations can be a handrail on both sides local legislation use to... Should generally be a handrail on at least one side minimum acceptable handrail height in a later blog post.!